U.S. patent number 6,009,584 [Application Number 08/979,136] was granted by the patent office on 2000-01-04 for multi-purpose tool with brush.
Invention is credited to Stephen J. Padden.
United States Patent |
6,009,584 |
Padden |
January 4, 2000 |
Multi-purpose tool with brush
Abstract
A thin card-like housing that incorporates a retractable brush
and other useful implements. The brush has a base with an outer
edge from which bristles extend. The base includes a deflectable
web portion having a rib extending through an actuation opening in
the housing. Manual engagement of the rib is used to move the brush
from an outwardly extended operative position to a retracted
storage position within the housing. The web portion includes wedge
parts that releasably engage detent structures inside the housing.
The detent structures are positioned to correspond to the storage
and operative positions of the brush. The housing interior also
includes guide posts that extend through guide openings in the
brush base to facilitate brush alignment and movement.
Inventors: |
Padden; Stephen J. (Ventura,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
25526730 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/979,136 |
Filed: |
November 26, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
7/170;
15/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B
7/023 (20130101); A63B 57/60 (20151001) |
Current International
Class: |
A46B
7/00 (20060101); A46B 7/02 (20060101); A63B
57/00 (20060101); B25F 001/00 (); A46B
029/17 () |
Field of
Search: |
;7/114,138,169,170
;D8/105 ;15/105,184,201 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Assistant Examiner: Hoffmann; Philip J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hovet; Kenneth J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A multipurpose tool assembly comprising:
a housing having an interior and a defined periphery;
at least one tool releasably engaged to said housing;
a slot extending from said periphery in to said interior;
a brush having a base and bristles mounted within said slot having
actuation means for moving at least said bristles out of said slot;
and,
said housing including constraining means for guiding movement of
said brush comprising at least one guide opening extending through
said base and at least one post extending from said housing in to
said guide opening.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing has an actuation
opening and said base includes a rib accessible through said
actuation opening.
3. The assembly of claim 1 including a holding means for releasably
connecting said brush to said housing.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said housing periphery has a
tool opening in communication with said interior, said assembly
including an implement extending into said tool opening and
interior.
5. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said housing periphery has an
inset portion, said assembly including a writing instrument
releasably engaged to said housing within said inset portion.
6. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said housing periphery includes
a recess, said assembly including a disc-shaped object releasably
engaged to said housing at said recess.
7. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises at
least one detent structure in said housing and at least one
deflectable wedge part in said base engageable with said detent
structure.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said base includes a deflectable
web portion from which extends said rib and said wedge part.
9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bristles extend from said
base a predetermined distance and said guide opening has a length
at least about equal to said predetermined distance in a direction
coextensive with the movement of said brush.
10. A multi-purpose golf tool assembly comprising:
a card-shaped housing having an outer periphery with spaced-apart
front and back walls defining an interior, said periphery having a
slot in communication said interior;
a brush having a base located in said interior which is movable
relative to said slot;
at least one elongated guide opening extending through said base
with the longitudinal axis of said guide opening being aligned in a
direction about parallel with the direction of movement of said
brush; and,
at least one post extending from a predetermined location within
said housing into a respective guide opening.
11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said brush includes a base and
said front wall includes an actuation opening, said base having a
rib extending into said actuation opening.
12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said base includes a
deflectable web portion and said rib extends from said web
portion.
13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said front wall has at least
one detent structure and said web portion has a corresponding wedge
part for releasable engagement with said detent structure.
14. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said periphery includes a tool
opening and said assembly includes a golf implement extending into
said tool opening.
15. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said periphery includes a
recess and said assembly includes a disc-shaped golf ball marker
releasably fitted into said recess.
16. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said periphery includes an
inset portion and said assembly includes a pen releasably fitted
within said inset portion.
17. In a housing having an interior and a predetermined outline
defined by an outer periphery, wherein the improvement comprises a
slot in said periphery in communication with said interior and a
brush with bristles located in said interior which is movable
relative to said slot between a retracted position and an operative
position, said brush including a base through which at least one
elongated guide opening extends and said interior including at
least one guide post extending into said guide opening.
18. The housing of claim 17 wherein said periphery includes a tool
opening and said housing includes an implement extending into said
tool opening.
19. The housing of claim 17 wherein said periphery includes an
arcuate opening and said housing includes a disc-shaped object
releasably attached to said arcuate opening.
20. The housing of claim 17 wherein said periphery includes an
inset region and said housing includes a writing instrument
releasably fitted into said inset portion.
21. The housing of claim 17 wherein the longitudinal axis of said
guide opening is parallel with the direction of movement of said
brush.
22. The housing of claim 21 wherein the longitudinal extent of said
guide opening provides a constraint on the movement span of said
brush.
23. The housing of claim 17 wherein said housing has an actuation
opening and said brush includes a base having a rib that is
accessible through said actuation opening to permit manual
engagement with said rib.
24. The housing of claim 23 wherein said actuation opening has a
predetermined width and said rib has a corresponding length that is
less than said predetermined width.
25. The housing of claim 23 wherein said actuation opening has a
predetermined length which is parallel to the direction of brush
movement and is about equal to the span between said retracted
position and said operative position.
26. The housing of claim 23 wherein said base includes a
deflectable web portion and said rib extends from said web
portion.
27. The housing of claim 26 wherein said interior includes at least
one detent structure and said web portion includes a corresponding
wedge part for releasable engagement with said detent
structure.
28. The housing of claim 27 wherein said interior includes at least
two detent structures spaced-apart in the direction of movement of
said brush a distance about equal to the span between said
retracted position and said operative position.
29. In a card-shaped housing having an interior and a predetermined
outline defined by an outer periphery wherein the improvement
comprises a slot in said periphery in communication with said
interior and a brush with bristles located in said interior which
is movable relative to said slot between a retracted position and a
operative position, said housing having an actuation opening and
said brush including a base having a rib that is accessible through
said actuation opening, said base including a deflectable web
portion and said rib extending from said web portion, said interior
having at least one detent structure and said web portion including
a corresponding wedge part for releasable engagement with said
detent structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns manual tools and, more particularly,
a compact multi-purpose tool that includes a retractable brush.
2. Description of Related Art
The most common types of multi-purpose tools have evolved from
pocket knives. In addition to knife blades, pocket knives have been
adapted to include a variety of miniaturized implements such as
files, awls, screwdrivers, bottle and can openers and even
scissors. To accommodate the additional implements, longer, wider
and stronger knife casings are used. Today, even the most
streamlined multi-purpose pocket tools have become heavy and bulky.
In fact, due to their bulk, such tools are oftentimes provided with
their own holsters.
To overcome the above disadvantages, a card-like housing was
developed for holding a variety of thin implements. This housing is
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,026. Construction of the above
housing, however, involves the lamination of a middle layer having
cut-out areas between two outer layers. The cut-out areas
correspond to the outline of implements to be contained within the
housing. This construction created unnecessary material costs added
unnecessary assembly and molding steps.
Other examples for enclosing miniaturized implements in thin
housings are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. D101,073, D172,108, D288,898,
464,405, 973,930, 1,590,492, 2,412,056 and 2,630,212. The patented
devices shown in the above patents most often utilize hinges,
clasping mechanisms, pivot arms, levers and spring means. As a
result, they are not convenient to carry as a personal item and
they are oftentimes difficult to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a thin compact housing that is
lightweight, easy to construct and uniquely accommodates a wide
variety of implements. In particular, the subject housing
incorporates a retractable brush and may include other specified
items relative to the intended field of use. The specific items
described in this invention have particular applicability to the
sport of golf.
The above-mentioned brush comprises a generally flat elongated base
having bristles that extend about parallel with the plane of the
base. The brush is mounted within the housing interior and moves
from a retracted position within the interior to an operative
position whereby at least the bristles extend outside the
interior.
The base of the brush includes an actuation means comprising a
deflectable web portion having a rib that extends into a housing
actuation opening. The actuation opening allows a user to access
the rib and move the brush to the desired positions.
The web portion of the brush is provided with a holding means
comprising at least one wedge part that engages a corresponding
detent structure in the housing interior. The detent structure is
located to releasably hold the brush in the aforementioned
retracted and operative positions.
The housing interior may also include constraining means to help
guide the brush during its movement and prevent complete separation
from the housing. This comprises at least one guide post extending
from a sidewall into an elongated guide opening in the brush
base.
The housing periphery may include a tool opening in communication
with the interior. This opening permits the insertion of a golf
divot tool, knife or other elongated implement into the
interior.
The housing periphery may further include a recess. The recess is
defined by opposing arcuate edges that provide releasable
engagement with disc-shaped objects such as golf ball markers.
Additionally, a portion of the housing periphery may be inset. The
inset periphery corresponds to the shape of a writing instrument
and provides a streamlined location for releasable engagement with
the instrument.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the assembled tool of the
invention with a partial cut-away showing the brush in a retracted
position.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the tool shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the tool shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 with
the brush in an operative position and golfing implements exploded
from the housing.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 6--6
of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tool shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional fragmentary view taken along
lines 8--8 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional fragmentary view similar to
FIG. 8 depicting the divot tool exploded from the housing.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along
line 10 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 10 showing a pen exploded from the housing.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged front elevational view of the brush shown in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 13--13 of FIG.
12.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 14--14 of FIG.
12.
FIG. 15 is an enlarged back elevational view of the brush shown in
FIG. 12.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along
lines 16--16 of FIG. 1 showing the brush in a retracted
position.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 16 showing the brush web portion and wedge parts being
depressed while moving the brush to an operative position.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to
FIG. 16 showing the brush in an operative position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With particular attention to FIGS. 1, 5 and 7 of the drawings, the
overall multi-purpose tool assembly is shown by reference 10. The
assembly comprises a housing 20 formed by the engagement of a front
wall 22 and back wall 24. The walls are spaced-apart to provide an
open interior 26 and are secured together by the friction
engagement of pegs 28 and corresponding stub parts 29 in a manner
known in the art. To at least partially enclose the housing
interior, corresponding edge wall segments 34 are provided that
extend along predetermined sections of the housing periphery.
Although a flat-walled card-shaped housing is illustrated having a
rectangular outline, the housing could have a circular or oval
shape. The housing is preferably constructed of a resilient plastic
material having structural integrity. However, it could be
constructed out of composite resin materials, metal, wood or
impregnated fabric and paper materials. In addition to the
implements disclosed herein, it is expected that the housing could
incorporate a variety of accessory items such as a compass, clock,
thermometer, calculator, mirror and illumination devices.
The bottom periphery of the housing is provided with an elongated
inset region 38. The inset region is configured to correspond with
the outline of pen 18. In this way, when the pen is secured within
the inset region, the overall profile of the housing will not be
materially altered.
With reference to FIGS. 5, 10 and 11, the pen comprises a casing 44
having a width coextensive with the housing thickness and a length
about equal to the longitudinal extent of the inset region. It
includes a pen point 47 at one end and a housing engagement handle
45 proximate the opposing end.
The inset region is defined by the matching engagement of
longitudinal inset walls 39 of the respective front and back
housing walls. When the walls are brought together, they form the
overall inset structure along the bottom of the housing.
As shown, the inset region extends from an end of the housing along
a major portion of the bottom periphery and terminates at an
inwardly facing abstract wall 40. For securing the pen point during
storage, the abutment wall is provided with a pen aperture 41.
Proximate the opposite end of the inset region is handle slot 42.
The slot comprises notched portions of inset walls 39. Opposing
sides of the notched portions are provided with friction bumps 46.
The open space between the bumps is slightly less than the width of
engagement handle 45.
To releasably secure the pen in the inset region, the pen point is
inserted into aperture 41. Thereafter, the pen casing is rotated
upwardly as depicted by arrow A in FIG. 5. When the engagement
handle enters handle slot 42, the pen casing is pushed to force the
handle past the friction bumps. A frictional engagement results as
shown in FIG. 10.
As used herein, the word "pen" is intended to embrace all types of
manual writing or marking instruments. Examples of such instruments
suitable for use with the invention are ballpoint pens, felt-tipped
pens, wood pencils, scribers and mechanical pencils.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7, 8 and 9, the housing includes an
elongated implement shown as divot tool 16. The divot tool
comprises a divot blade 50 and an end cover 51. The blade and cover
are generally thin and flat in correspondence with the character of
the housing. The cover overlies the blade head portion and includes
a shallow finger recess 53 on its front side. On the cover backside
is a transversely extending friction groove 52.
To accommodate the divot tool, the housing is provided with a tool
opening 54 which is formed by a cut-out area 55 in front wall 22.
The cut-out area extends inwardly from a side edge wall segment of
the front wall. It has a configuration that corresponds to the
planar outline of end cover 51. Matching the cut-out configuration
with the shape of the end cover creates an integrated appearance
and provides a constraint against unwanted movement of the divot
tool.
To further constrain and secure the divot tool within the housing
interior, an abbreviated protuberance 56 is formed on the interior
face of back wall 24. As depicted by arrow B in FIGS. 5 and 9, the
divot tool is moved through the tool opening until the cover abuts
against the back end of cut-out 55. In this position, the
protuberance 56 and friction groove 52 will become engaged. This
connection is shown in FIG. 8 and functions to resist dislodgement
of the tool while in its storage position.
As best shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, a corner of the housing is
provided with a recess 58 to accommodate releasable engagement with
a conventional disc-shaped golf ball marker 14. Although other
locations on the housing periphery would be acceptable, engaging
the ball marker at the corner of a rectangular housing creates a
more aesthetically pleasing appearance and also facilitates
insertion and removal of the marker.
The recess comprises curved cut-out portions of corresponding
corners of the front and back walls of the housing. The space
between the portions comprise an arcuate engagement opening 60
defined by cut-out edges 59. The cut-out edges are beveled to
enhance frictional engagement with the disc which will slide
therebetween as depicted by arrow C in FIG. 5.
To prevent the disc from moving too far into the engagement
opening, a curved partition 61 is positioned at a predetermined
offset from the back part of the opening. To permit a strong
snap-in engagement and accommodate slight differences in disc
diameters, an expansion slot 62 is provided extending inwardly an
effective distance from the cut-out portion of each housing
wall.
The top edge wall segment 36 of the housing periphery is provided
with an elongated brush slot 70. The slot extends along about half
the housing length. It is open to the housing interior and provides
access to brush 12.
The brush comprises a base 72 having an outer edge 74 from which
bristles 76 extend. Overall, the base is sufficiently thin to be
enclosed within the housing interior. It has a length less than the
longitudinal extent of the slot. A row of bristles extend outwardly
about parallel with the overall plane of the base. As shown, the
individual bristles are gathered into tufts and extend from the
outer edge 74 a predetermined distance to a free end 78.
The length of the bristles somewhat dictate the span of movement of
the brush. The span is the distance between a retracted storage
position within the housing interior to an outer operative position
wherein at least the longitudinal extent of the bristles are
exposed in order to properly effect their function.
It will be appreciated that the invention comprehends the removal
and use of the brush entirely from the housing. In this case, only
the aforesaid holding means would be used to releasably engage the
brush to the housing. However, this alternative is not preferred.
Therefore, the description herein is directed to maintaining a
permanent connection between the brush and the housing.
Movement of the brush is accomplished manually by manipulation of
an upraised rib 80 extending from the base into an actuation
opening 82 formed in the front wall 22 of the housing. The opening
has sufficient length in the direction of movement of the brush to
permit the above-described span of movement between the brush
positions.
The width of the actuation opening may conveniently correspond with
the length of the rib which, as shown, comprises an elongated
protuberance having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the
direction of movement of the brush. Having the length of the rib
slightly less than the width of the actuation opening will
facilitate aligned movement of the brush.
To further enhance aligned movement and to help prevent the brush
from being entirely withdrawn from the housing, a constraining
means is provided. The constraining means comprises the combination
of at least one guide opening in the base that interacts with a
corresponding guide post extending across the housing interior into
the guide opening.
As best shown in FIGS. 12-15, the base has opposing end sections
through which extend a respective guide opening 84. Each guide
opening is elongated with its longitudinal axis being parallel to
the direction of movement of the brush. Extending into each guide
opening is a respective guide post 86. The guide posts are located
on the inner face of back wall 24 a predetermined distance from top
edge wall 36. This distance, when taken in conjunction with the
longitudinal extent of the guide openings, will permit the
requisite brush movement to locate bristles 76 beyond the slot
opening as shown in FIG. 5.
Preferably, a holding means is provided to releasably secure the
brush in the desired retracted and operative positions. The holding
means comprises the combination of a deflectable web portion in the
base having at least one wedge part that is engageable with a
corresponding detent structure in the housing. In particular, the
base is provided with a base opening 92. The base opening comprises
a cut-out area in the middle region of the base between guide
openings 84. The area defines a bilaterally symmetrical
configuration that conforms to the outline of web portion 90.
The web portion extends into the base opening from a center upper
region of the base proximate outer end 74. The web portion is
thinner than the base and a hinge groove 95 delineates the
transition from the base into the web portion. The groove also
functions as a living hinge to facilitate deflection of the web
portion in a manner described below.
The main body area of the web portion that extends from groove 95
is referenced as midsection 94. Extending outward from each lower
side edge of the midsection is a wedge part 96. The wedge parts are
preferably mirror images of each other. They include inclined
surfaces that terminate at a thickened abutment edge.
The wedge parts engage similarly shaped recessed areas formed in
the inner face of housing wall 22. The recessed areas are
delineated as lower detent structures 98 and upper detent
structures 100. The lower detent structures 98 correspond to the
retracted position of the brush and the upper detent structures 100
correspond to the operative position of the brush. The upper detent
structures are aligned directly above the lower detent structures a
distance equal to the span between the aforementioned operative and
retracted positions of the brush.
As shown in FIGS. 12-14, rib 80 extends outwardly from midsection
94. Therefore, a user can depress the web portion by pressing
against the rib to release the wedge parts from engagement with the
detent structures. As depicted in FIG. 17, downward and forward
pressure against the rib in the direction of arrow E will result in
disengagement from lower detent structures 98 and outward movement
of the brush. Outward movement will stop when either the guide
posts engage the lower-most part of the guide openings or the rib
engages the upper-most edge of actuation opening 82. This outward
location corresponds to the brush operative position. Subsequently,
the user can release pressure against the rib and allow the wedge
parts to engage corresponding upper detent structures 100 as shown
in FIG. 18. As so engaged, the brush may be utilized in a
conventional manner whereby the housing functions as the brush
handle. This attribute greatly enhances grasping and manipulation
of the brush.
When work with the brush is completed, the web portion 80 is again
depressed and the brush movement is reversed. This action will
return the brush to the retracted position shown in FIG. 16.
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred
embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that
modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore,
the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrative
embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *